Board of Directors Nomination Form

Name: Paul F Johnson

Town: Nashua

County: Hillsborough

Biography (100 words max):

I am the son of a mill worker. No wait, that's been used... Actually I am the oldest son of a rocket scientist (for Grumman Aerospace) and a devoted mother who put her dreams of a medical career aside to raise four children. They instilled a strong morality and concern for those less fortunate. I was raised on Long Island, NY until 1973, when at age 17 we relocated to New Hampshire. I finished high school here and studied at Dartmouth for two years, before leaving to help with a family crisis. I have diverse experience in radio, recording engineering, photography, sales, magazine editing, and for most of my career in software development and consulting. A lifelong entrepreneur, I have started 8 businesses employing from one to over 100 people. I currently own a Nashua-based internet business that employs four, and I'm blessed with a wonderful wife Wendy, and two stepchildren: Jeff (22) and Steff (19).

Past Political Experience (150 words max):

I have always been interested in politics, policy and public affairs - partly due to upbringing and partly the times: 60's idealism, the war, Nixon, Watergate. I was deeply affected by the Kent State massacre: kids just a couple of years older shot down for marching for peace. But over the years I didn't translate that idealism into real action, beyond writing letters & checks, and engaging in friendly persuasion and debate. That changed - and so did I - in early 2003 at a chance (or fated?) meeting with Howard Dean. I learned quickly that "you have the power" was the truth; and once realizing that, using it became both a responsibility and a joy!

I have been lobbying, organizing, and campaigning ever since, including a hard-fought but unsuccessful run for the Legislature in 2004, followed by steady activity in local politics: currently working to organize Public Access television, to establish better conflict-of-interest and ethics guidelines for the zoning/planning boards, and working with the Mayor and intervenors on the municipal acquisition of the Pennichuck Water utility. I serve on the Board of the Pennichuck Brook Watershed Council, and as the Moderator of Citizens Action for Southern NH (the outgrowth of the Dean meetup). I'm the second vice chair of the Nashua Democrats, and work for Paul Hodes' campaign as photographer.

My two proudest political achievements to date have been winning a year-long battle against Wal-Mart's proposal to build on a sensitive wetland in Nashua (with our CASNH members and about 240 total citizens)... and being one of the earliest founders of DFNH.

Why You Want to Serve as a DFNH Board Member? (150 words max):

As one of the founders of DFNH I have tremendous pride in the organization, and regret not having been able to run for the board in 2004 (due to my own campaign) or to be very active since, due to the intense Wal-Mart battle. With those obstacles past, and having decided with my family and employees that this is not the right year for another attempt at the legislature, I'm eager to help DFNH grow and become even more influential in the coming years.